Day 1: Flathead River Writers Conference, Kalispell, MT

BJ Daniels

Kathi Appelt

Katherine Sands

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Lavonne Mueller 

Laura Munson

Jane Friedman

Deborah Levine Herman

Pictured above: Presenters B J Daniels, Kathi Appel, Katharine Sands, Lavonne Mueller, Laura Munson, & Deborah Levine Herman, and Jane Friedman.


Today was my first day at the Flathead River Writers Conference. I am here to mix with other writers, editors, and publishers and get serious about finishing my memoir. I got my $150 conference registration worth in the first five minutes. I will attempt to recap this stimulating day, where those who have become successful writers, and those who make decisions about what is published and how, mingle with struggling writers like me.

I arrived Friday, after a one-hour flight from Salt Lake City, landing in a beautiful valley surrounded by glacier topped mountains, the views hazy due to a mushroom cloud of smoke from an uncontrolled forest fire. This historical area of past and present rugged men and women of the wild west is the gateway to Glacier National Park. A van driven by Chris, carried me to the comfortable Hampton Inn. Chris gave me a narrative of the Kalispell area and told me the story of why he lives here rather than Phoenix, AZ.

I was joined at breakfast Saturday by a three ladies who were attending the conference, held at the local community college. Two of the ladies had arrived by overnight train from Edmondson, WA. One was 84 years old and told the story of having to jump off the train as it barely slowed down when they arrived. I was blown away to find that one of the ladies was a featured speaker who writes six intrigue books a year for Harlequin. Her name is Barb Heinlein. She writes as B.J. Daniels. Barb, a local born and bread Montana lady, befriended me and chauffeeured me to the hotel and after conference get-together at the Lodge on Whitefish Lake. I was comforted to know that she carried a gun in her SUV and knew how to use it.

Our first speaker, Jane Freidman, e-media guru, spoke about Writing - A business in Transition.
Jane opened up a world to me that I had just had hints of. I will treasure all the valuable resources in her handout as I decide about pursuing traditional methods, or take newer routs or try a combination to get my memoir finished and out to the public.

Agent Deborah Levine Herman, a former lawyer, spoke of writing as a spiritual journey, meeting your goals and how to live the writer's life without losing your mind. Deborah shared that animals speak to her and she can understand them. I had no doubt that she could do this. Deborah has a coloring book called Soul Odyssey, an intuitive mediumship. I can's wait to get out colored pencils. When done I get to lift my page for a message.

Agent Katharine Sands of the Sarah Jane Freymann Literary Agency carried over Jane Friedman's theme and told us how to maximize your work in the new media and literary marketplace. I was impressed by her grace and enthusiasm for what she does as she nurtures writers. I learned that even though the buzz is all about the various kinds of e-media, there are still people who do it the old fashioned way. My dream is to be natured by someone like Katherine. If she would take me under her wing, I would find her a husband and enjoy playing Yetta. She said she is tired of all the Manta metro-sexuals in Manhattan. I suggested a Utah cowboy.

I was thrilled to hear my first playwright, and a very well known one at that. Lavonne Mueller is an award-winning author, playwright and Woodrow Wilson Scholar. In a very humble way she gave an overview of her work, her respect for fine actors and actresses, and her international success as a playwright. Her passion is helping others learn her craft.

After lunch Kathi Appelt, Texas momma, funny woman, poet, and author shared her life and what inspires her. She is on the faculty of the Vermont College of Fine Arts. Fellow Salt Lake City writer Debbie Frank Baldwin in enrolled in their low residency program. One of Kathi's genres is illustrated children's books. I worked as a children's librarian for 5 years in an elementary school and loved the children's illustrated books and literature - everything I love to read as an adult without all the bs. When I began writing I thought I would do children's books about my ancestors and their adventures.

My new friend Barb Heinlein was next. She told her story with sensitivity and humor. She was the daughter of two illiterate parents. Her father was a bricklayer who build homes in Montana. They were poor, but always lived in a custom built home. Barb always knew she was a writer and worked as a stringer for a small Montana newspaper for years, submitting over 20 stories to Women's Day and suffering rejection after rejection until they finally bought one. As they say, the rest is history. Barb is living her dream, still in Montana with a husband she loves and being courted by the very big time. I think Barb will always be true to her roots, and pack that gun, just in case.

The day was wrapped up by Laura Munson, best selling memorist and author of This is Not the Story You Think It Is, A Season of Unlikely Happiness. She spoke about the writing ethic and the road to success. What a motivational woman! She shared her struggles and hard road to success and how difficult it is to remain true to oneself after attaining your dream.

Like the other writers who spoke, Laura gave me a good belly laugh and brought tears to my eyes.